BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Reconciliations of Earnings from Continuing Operations to Adjusted Operating Profit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 28, 2018	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 28, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 14,928	$ 9,781	$ 34,348	$ 41,652
Interest expense	18,495	7,181	35,158	13,792
Income taxes	18,141	1,728	23,750	10,153
Depreciation and amortization	41,245	34,050	76,421	65,949
Amortization of acquired unfavorable contract backlog	(23,476)	0	(34,808)	0
Impairment of assets	0	12,136	0	12,597
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations	$ 69,333	$ 64,876	$ 134,869	$ 144,143