CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY
Annual cash dividends declared per share	$ 0.70	$ 0.65	$ 0.60
Change in funded status of pension plans, tax	$ (519)	$ 738	$ 697
Net unrealized gain (loss) on restricted investments, tax	$ 30	$ 4	$ (77)