OPERATING SEGMENTS (Reconciliations of Earnings from Continuing Operations to Adjusted Operating Profit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 412,865	$ 278,302	$ 198,779
Interest expense	(51,904)	(61,837)	(71,373)
Income taxes	(121,153)	(92,476)	(69,681)
Amortization of acquired unfavorable contract backlog	(6,035)	(29,367)	(74,784)
Impairment of assets	(6,784)	(7,611)	(384)
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 754,284	$ 576,608	$ 424,085