Can a set price of milage reimubursment be re-negotiated after contract has been signed?

Question

My son is deaf and I am contracted by our home school district to drive him to and from state deaf school daily. At beginning of year I signed a contract to be paid milage reimbursment (which was set at national standards at time of signing). Now that fuel costs have risen as drastically as they have through past 9 months (as well as standard reimbursment prices), am I legally entitled to re-negotiate milage reimbursment? I know school year is over for now, Iam just curious and will remember for next school year.

Answer 1

Generally, you are locked into a contract - they would have had to continue to pay you the amount you agreed to even if gas prices had dropped to $1.00 a gallon, so when the price rises, you get stuck.  Perhaps next year you can have in the contract that the reimbursement being paid for fuel costs would be re-evaluated monthly and the amount you are paid would always be the standard reimbursement price, whether it rises or falls.

Answer 2

The least you could do is ask.  I think you have grounds to stand on.  Just state that you may not be able to continue providing transportation yourself at their current rates.  It costs a lot more to send out staff and state vehicles.