What do you think about a psychotherapist or a doctor having sex with adult patients? Think that's cool?
Well that goes beyond “the State”, that goes against one of the basic tenents of the beliefs in psychotherapy. Therefore the profession takes care of themselves.
It’s unethical, but not illegal.
Not a state problem. If the school district policy forbids it, then they can do whatever discipline the event warrants, but it’s not a crime.
I see this the same way as you. There is a problem with those who have an “authoritative” role in someone’s life that then crosses the line when it comes to sexuality. These girls or boys may technically be adults, but emotionally and psychologically there arises many, many problems when one partner has this type of “control” whether real, or imagined within a relationship.
As you said, just as it is immoral and unethical for a therapist or doctor to engage in sexual relations with their patients, so too is it immoral and unethical for teachers (or professors, even - as in college-age students) to engage in sexual relations with their students.
While these teachers may face no criminal punishment, one would hope they would be fired all the same for their unethical behavior.