Employee Retirement Plans (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2012

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Costs and payments related to supplemental retirement plans

The table below provides, for the periods indicated, costs recognized and payments made related to its SERPs (amounts in thousands):

	Six Months Ended April 30,				Three Months Ended April 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Service cost	$	194	$	153	$	97	$	76
Interest cost	606		645		303		323
Amortization of prior service obligation	369		347		184		173
Amortization of unrecognized losses	33				17
Total costs	$	1,202	$	1,145	$	601	$	572
Benefits paid	$	225	$	62	$	110	$	29