Other Non-Operating Income (expense) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Component of Other Expense, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other non-operating income (expense)	$ (6,186)	$ 115	$ (1,921)
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Component of Other Expense, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other non-operating income (expense)	(6,599)
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt [Member]
Component of Other Expense, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other non-operating income (expense)			(1,049)
Loss on Interest Rate Swap Termination [Member]
Component of Other Expense, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other non-operating income (expense)			(1,562)
Gain on Foreign Currency Transactions [Member]
Component of Other Expense, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other non-operating income (expense)			419
Other [Member]
Component of Other Expense, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other non-operating income (expense)	$ 413	$ 115	$ 271