Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Common Stock Warrants [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2010	$ 1,353	$ 183,794	$ 7,597	$ 13,462	$ 3,014	$ (138,185)
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2010	27,056,000					(10,041,000)
Issuance of common stock from treasury, shares						117,000
Issuance of common stock from treasury		(1,276)				1,604
Purchase of treasury shares, shares						(21,000)
Purchase of treasury shares						(218)
Unvested share award, shares						37,000
Unvested share award		(526)				526
Share-based compensation		2,788
Warrant activity, shares						596,000
Warrant activity		(5,894)	(2,337)			8,229
Management stock loan payments, shares						(76,000)
Management stock loan payments		637				(637)
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan activity, shares						2,000
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan activity		(8)				8
Cumulative translation adjustments					578		578
Net income (loss)				4,807			4,807
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2011	1,353	179,515	5,260	18,269	3,592	(128,673)
Ending balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2011	27,056,000					(9,386,000)
Issuance of common stock from treasury, shares						60,000
Issuance of common stock from treasury		(358)				800
Purchase of treasury shares, shares						(44,000)
Purchase of treasury shares						(440)
Unvested share award, shares						37,000
Unvested share award		(514)				514
Share-based compensation		3,835
Management stock loan payments, shares						(32,000)
Management stock loan payments		313				(313)
Repurchases of share-based award		(249)
Cumulative translation adjustments					(182)		(182)
Other		(8)
Net income (loss)				7,841			7,841
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2012	1,353	182,534	5,260	26,110	3,410	(128,112)	90,555
Ending balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2012	27,056,000					(9,365,000)
Issuance of common stock from treasury, shares						279,000
Issuance of common stock from treasury		(3,341)				3,836
Purchase of treasury shares, shares						(113,000)	(73,320)
Purchase of treasury shares						(1,309)	(800)
Unvested share award, shares						31,000
Unvested share award		(421)				421
Share-based compensation		3,457
Warrant activity, shares						1,708,000
Warrant activity		(18,273)	(5,260)			23,478
Management stock loan payments, shares						(3,302,000)
Management stock loan payments		45,379				(45,514)
Cumulative translation adjustments					(1,724)		(1,724)
Tax benefits recorded in paid in capital		903
Other, shares						3,000
Other		(11)				11
Net income (loss)				14,319			14,319
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2013	$ 1,353	$ 210,227		$ 40,429	$ 1,686	$ (147,189)	$ 106,506
Ending balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2013	27,056,000					(10,759,000)