INCOME TAX (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses and credits	$ 283,416	$ 295,241
Deferred compensation and employee benefits	32,293	24,432
Reserves and other accrued expenses	30,371	42,833
ROU operating lease liabilities	29,619
Other	3,315	19,526
Total deferred tax assets	379,014	382,032
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	(281,849)	(283,560)
Deferred tax assets, net	97,165	98,472
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	(185,595)	(168,701)
ROU operating lease assets	(28,201)
Other	(2,420)	(1,182)
Net deferred tax liabilities	(216,216)	(169,883)
Total deferred tax liabilities	$ (119,051)	$ (71,411)