Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income - including noncontrolling interests	$ 36,085	$ 19,225	$ 25,839
Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	41,914	41,225	42,615
Stock-based compensation expense	4,295	5,644	7,666
Noncontrolling interests			(4,630)
Provision for impairment of long-lived assets	764	824	15,161
Net loss from early extinguishment of debt		23,035	314
Other	24	1,580	1,091
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:
Restricted cash	2,586	(5,136)	4,465
Accounts receivable and other assets	(2,591)	(2,124)	292
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accounts payable	(932)	(552)	(522)
Accrued and other liabilities	(828)	(281)	(1,440)
Income taxes	13,811	662	(13,247)
Total adjustments	59,043	64,877	51,765
Net cash provided by operating activities	95,128	84,102	77,604
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(24,175)	(21,200)	(24,468)
Proceeds from sale of assets	9,929	6,448	14,271
Other	(9,863)	(1,321)	814
Net cash used in investing activities	(24,109)	(16,073)	(9,383)
Cash flows from financing activities
Payments on and purchases of debt	(15,220)	(624,171)	(106,296)
Proceeds from borrowings		535,000
Restricted cash for securitization obligations	269	6,409	(209)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	280	2,130	3,404
Purchases of noncontrolling interests	(92)	(182)	(9,277)
Purchases of treasury stock	(30,000)
Debt issuance and extinguishment costs	(57)	(40,248)
Other	(3,061)	(3,494)	(7,404)
Net cash used in financing activities	(47,881)	(124,556)	(119,782)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	23,138	(56,527)	(51,561)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year	29,509	86,036	137,597
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	52,647	29,509	86,036
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest (net of amounts capitalized of $337, $23 and $25, respectively)	29,283	29,033	32,184
Income taxes (net of refunds)	11,114	10,523	25,534
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to capital lease obligations	1,692	1,340	446
Obligation to acquire treasury stock	1,102
Stock options exercised by stock swap		1,572	78
Change in obligation for purchase of property and equipment	$ (1,061)	$ (524)	$ 3,208