NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nashville Mayor Karl Dean delivered his first State of Metro address on Tuesday and said the city is in good condition.

Mayor's Budget Emphasizes Education

He talked seriously about education and announced that half of the city’s budget will go toward improvements in the city's public schools.

Nashville currently has a high school dropout rate of 30 percent.

"Research shows that a high school dropout will make, on average, $17,000 a year while a college graduate will make $57,000 a year. It’s simple math, more kids graduating would have a huge economic impact on our city," Dean said during his speech.

The mayor said that currently, there are 5,000 people in Nashville between the ages of 16 and 24 who are not attending school and not working.

He used the numbers to stress the importance of improving the education of the city.

"We’re mistreating them. It’s child abuse not to be able to do something with those kids and prepare them for their future," said Councilman Michael Craddock.

Dean said that the city’s graduation rate is tied to Nashville’s economy, health and public safety, but can it be fixed with money and programs?

"I am sick and tired of us talking about programs, talking about funding and putting money in the school system, and they never say anything about the parent’s responsibility. You can have any kind of program you want to. If you don’t make the parents do what they’re supposed to do, it’s like throwing a cup of coffee in the Pacific Ocean: You won’t know the difference," said Councilman Walter Hunt.

The newest program is a national one that is supposed to bring ideas, resources and teachers to Nashville to open up new alternative high schools.

Dean also said every other department within the city would be dealing with a little less funding than in previous years.

Also, during the speech, Dean proposed funding for a Metro DNA lab to investigate crimes. Currently, the city uses the resources of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The mayor also approved three new ambulances with the budget.

The new budget calls for an increase of $1.6 billion. To pay for it, 200 city workers could be laid off and 127 vacant positions eliminated.