Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Loss from continuing operations	$ (39,946)	$ (191,640)	$ (44,848)	$ (192,404)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(275)	240	(604)	(631)
Loss from continuing operations attributable to SSI	(40,221)	(191,400)	(45,452)	(193,035)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,024)	(4,242)	(1,089)	(5,080)
Net loss attributable to SSI	$ (41,245)	$ (195,642)	$ (46,541)	$ (198,115)
Computation of shares:
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	27,201,000	27,020,000	27,178,000	26,982,000
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive stock options, performance share awards, DSUs, and RSUs	0	0	0	0
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	27,201,000	27,020,000	27,178,000	26,982,000
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	993,799	1,325,818	925,615	1,261,928