The Tamaqua Area School Board on Tuesday approved an annual review of its bullying policy, but more district policies will be looked at next month, its assistant superintendent said.

The board approved a review of Policy 249, Bullying/Cyberbullying, but the state Department of Education sent out updates and new language for seven or eight polices recently, Dr. Stephen Toth said.

Those polices will come before the board next month after the administration reviews the changes, he said.

On Tuesday night, parent Holly O’Shea asked about the bullying policy and services the district may have in place to handle mental health issues that students may be facing.

Superintendent Ray Kinder said that the district added two social workers and a behavior analyst to help students — positions that didn’t exist five years ago.

The district also added a guidance counselor and school nurses, who also work with students, he said.

The district also has groups in the schools working with families with issues or needs they may have, Kinder said.

“Specific to the bullying and harassment and those type of things, I would love to be able to tell someone that I have a magic wand,” Kinder said. “We are all trying to figure it out.”

Kinder said that they’ve called parents, met with parents, tried to bring people together, and tried to re-engage students who may have had an issue. They’ve also brought in speakers to reach students about treating one another better, he said.

Kinder believes removing cellphones from the classrooms this year may also help, allowing students to refocus on why they’re in school — to get an education and opportunity for something greater, he said.

Kinder was interested in hearing what O’Shea’s experience was with the district and finding resources for her daughter, who will be returning to Tamaqua Area this fall.