Capital Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) earnings	$ (21,648)	$ (66,213)	$ (105,174)
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	60,441	59,436	59,010
Net effect of dilutive securities-employee stock compensation plans	0	0	0
Weighted average common and equivalent shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share	60,441	59,436	59,010
Basic Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share):	$ (0.36)	$ (1.11)	$ (1.78)
Diluted Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share):	$ (0.36)	$ (1.11)	$ (1.78)
Anti-dilutive securities-equity based compensation plans (excluded from earnings per share calculation)	2,923	4,482	4,832