The other bullshit they do is if a bully starts a fight with a kid, and the kid doesn't fight back. They'll suspend both anyway.
I use to tell my kids if somebody throws a punch first, finish the fight. Get your money's worth. Have to let them know getting in trouble with the school doesn't mean getting in trouble with you if the rules are bullshit. You handle the bully and I'll handle the school.
Starting things is a different matter, and kids have to know that, too.
Big problem with bullying is that a kid, even if he's bullied, will get in trouble for it. Bullied kids lose all hope that any adult is really worth anything.
Sucks if they don't have mature parents on their side, for whatever reason, added to that.