When state leaders signed off on a worthless "compromise" budget last month, they postponed the pain as much as they could, delaying serious cuts in spending or tax increases.

But there was one segment of the population that wasn't spared any pain, no matter how briefly: Community college students.

Massive cuts for these crucial educational institutions have left the three campuses in the San Fernando Valley cutting between 8.5 percent and 10 percent of their classes.

Yet in tough times, especially when tuition is on the rise at state universities, the number of students applying to community colleges is skyrocketing. The result is a bad combination of more students and fewer classes to serve them.

The state's quick-fix budget might have bought state leaders more time, but only by selling its students out.