Public meetings this week look at independent counsel for elected officials, renter credit checks and the city’s winter expenses; design review on two lab buildings that will begin transforming the CambridgeSide mall; the city’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic; and an interim schools superintendent.

Public meetings this week look at passing zoning more easily, and a Green New Deal; opting out of the MCAS test and a vocational education coalition; the Volpe redevelopment in Kendall Square; “missing middle” zoning; a Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream in Cambridgeport; and much more.

The state has retreated on bus and subway service cuts, but residents shouldn’t hope to see fares quickly decrease or be eliminated – and Cambridge isn’t doing much on its own to lower the cost of mass transit, councillors heard Monday.

Public meetings this week look at keeping rats out of the trash with new barrel and advice on a single-use plastics ban; the school district budget; and the “Missing Middle” and “Green Roofs” zoning petitions.

The School Committee has identified three finalists to move forward in the interview process for an interim school superintendent, as well as a schedule of candidate forums to meet them.

Public meetings this week look at tree protection and cannabis delivery business laws, the Ragon Institute’s proposal to build near Kendall, MCAS standardized testing issues and much more.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced new requirements for district schools last week, mandating that districts offer students the option of full-time in-person and remote classes for five days a week beginning in April.

Public meetings this week look at a tear gas law, Alewife rezoning and whether to rein in some coronavirus reopenings; how to search for a next city manager; a cannabis shop pitched for Harvard Square; a proposed school district budget for next fiscal year; and more.

An interim Cambridge Public Schools superintendent will begin work July 1 and serve through the end of the academic year so a search for a permanent superintendent can begin in the summer, with the goal of an accepted offer by October and a start date in July 2022.

Public meetings this week look at the city’ credit ratings, zoning plans and whether to add affordable housing to a city parking lot in West Cambridge; services for students; neighborhood group representation and the goals of Envision Cambridge; and a possible condo conversion fee.