Capital Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2024	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022	Mar. 16, 2015	Oct. 01, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 28, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss)	$ 85,749	$ 46,561	$ 15,686
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	54,336,000	56,680,000	59,538,000
Net effect of dilutive securities-employee stock compensation plans	526,000	437,000	371,000
Weighted average common and equivalent shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share	54,862,000	57,117,000	59,909,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	$ 1.51	$ 0.95	$ 0.33
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share	1.50	0.94	0.33
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share	0.07	(0.13)	(0.07)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share	0.06	(0.12)	(0.07)
Loss per share - Basic (in dollars per share)	1.58	0.82	0.26
Diluted Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share):	$ 1.56	$ 0.82	$ 0.26
Anti-dilutive securities-equity based compensation plans (excluded from earnings per share calculation)	96,000	891,000	946,000
Net Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$ 82,207	$ 53,649	$ 19,591
Net (Loss) Earnings from Discontinued Operations	$ 3,542	$ (7,088)	$ (3,905)
Shares authorized in buyback program	10,000,000			7,000,000	7,000,000	7,000,000	7,000,000