Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 2,720	$ 2,990	$ 4,459
Charges to cost and expenses	(280)	650	584
Deductions	56	(920)	(2,053)
Balance at end of period	2,496	2,720	2,990
Allowance for notes and other contractual receivables
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	7,602	7,803	0
Charges to cost and expenses	0	(201)	7,803
Deductions	(7,602)	0	0
Balance at end of period	0	7,602	7,803
Deferred tax valuation allowance
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	30,265	29,696	794
Charges to cost and expenses	48,039	2,827	28,902
Deductions	0	(2,258)	0
Balance at end of period	$ 78,304	$ 30,265	$ 29,696