Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2015	27,056,000				(10,909,000)
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2015	$ 1,353	$ 208,635	$ 69,612	$ 192	$ (154,286)
Issuance of common stock from treasury, shares					57,000
Issuance of common stock from treasury		(143)			$ 823
Purchase of treasury shares, shares					(2,505,000)
Purchase of treasury shares					$ (43,586)
Unvested share award, shares					25,000
Unvested share award		(356)			$ 356
Stock-based compensation		3,121
Cumulative translation adjustments				1,030		$ 1,030
Tax benefits (expense) recorded in paid-in capital		(52)
Other		(2)			$ 2
Net income (loss)			7,016			7,016
Ending balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2016	27,056,000				(13,332,000)
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2016	$ 1,353	211,203	76,628	1,222	$ (196,691)
Issuance of common stock from treasury, shares					188,000
Issuance of common stock from treasury		(2,103)			$ 2,785
Purchase of treasury shares, shares					(300,000)
Purchase of treasury shares					$ (5,431)
Unvested share award, shares					30,000
Unvested share award		(442)			$ 442
Stock-based compensation		3,658
Cumulative translation adjustments				(555)		(555)
Tax benefits (expense) recorded in paid-in capital		168
Net income (loss)			(7,172)			(7,172)
Ending balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2017	27,056,000				(13,414,000)
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2017	$ 1,353	212,484	69,456	667	$ (198,895)	$ 85,065
Issuance of common stock from treasury, shares					337,000	311,898
Issuance of common stock from treasury		(3,702)			$ 4,510
Purchase of treasury shares, shares					(105,000)
Purchase of treasury shares					$ (2,006)
Unvested share award, shares					23,000
Unvested share award		(348)			$ 348
Stock-based compensation		2,846
Cumulative translation adjustments				(326)		$ (326)
Net income (loss)			(5,887)			(5,887)
Ending balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2018	27,056,000				(13,159,000)
Ending balance at Aug. 31, 2018	$ 1,353	$ 211,280	$ 63,569	$ 341	$ (196,043)	$ 80,500