Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 2,315	$ 2,496	$ 2,720
Charges to cost and expenses	126	131	(280)
Deductions	(161)	(312)	56
Balance at end of period	2,280	2,315	2,496
Allowance for notes and other contractual receivables
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period		0	7,602
Charges to cost and expenses			0
Deductions			(7,602)
Balance at end of period			0
Deferred tax valuation allowance
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	86,917	78,304	30,265
Charges to cost and expenses	690	8,613	48,039
Deductions	(17,233)	0	0
Balance at end of period	$ 70,374	$ 86,917	$ 78,304