Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	May 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations									$ 8,734	$ (280,023)	$ 28,917
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(3,667)	(1,419)	(1,513)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SSI									5,067	(281,442)	27,404
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax									857	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to SSI	$ 7,253	$ 3,110	$ 1,789	$ (6,228)	$ (289,234)	$ 820	$ 8,643	$ (1,671)	$ 5,924	$ (281,442)	$ 27,404
Computation of shares:
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic									26,834,000	26,656,000	27,317,000
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive stock options, performance share awards, DSUs and RSUs									166,000	0	236,000
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted									27,000,000	26,656,000	27,553,000
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share									618,348	957,235	69,081